Free NHL Expert and Computer Picks For Every Game Oct. 4, 2026
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.55 |
+138 
|
o5.5 -115 
|
+1.5 -185 
|
|
3.11 |
-150 
|
u5.5 +100 
|
-1.5 +168
|
Calgary
Seattle
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3.53 |
-134 
|
o6.0 -160
|
-1.5 +185 
|
|
3.26 |
+118
|
u6.5 +100
|
+1.5 -210
|
Florida
Anaheim
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4.06 |
-285 
|
o6.5 +110 
|
-1.5 -107
|
|
2.53 |
+255
|
u6.5 -120
|
+1.5 +105
|
Vegas
Vancouver
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.54 |
+170
|
o5.5 -122
|
+1.5 -145
|
|
3.35 |
-186
|
u6.0 -115
|
-1.5 +138
|
Philadelphia
Tampa Bay
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.92 |
-109
|
o5.5 -122
|
+1.5 -278
|
|
3.04 |
-105
|
u6.0 -120
|
-1.5 +189
|
Ottawa
Boston
Predicted Score
Team |
Predicted Score |
ML |
Total |
Puck Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2.95 |
+145
|
o6.0 -125
|
+1.5 -168
|
|
3.63 |
-160
|
u6.5 -120
|
-1.5 +160
|
San Jose
Dallas
FLA
@
ANA
Sun, Oct 4 • 8:00 PM ET
Sam Reinhart o0.5 Goals Scored (+210)
Sam Reinhart leads Panthers forwards in time on ice and scoring chances through two games.
A pace-up spot against the Anaheim Ducks should serve him well. It certainly did last season – Reinhart recorded 11 shots on goal over two head-to-head meetings, and he found the back of the net in one of them.
FLA (-130)
I like the Florida Panthers to 57%.
They’ve been air-tight defensively through two games, conceding a league-best 1.04 expected goals per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 play.
The Anaheim Ducks have high-end talent at the top of the roster but they lack depth. That’ll make it difficult to sustain time in the offensive zone and generate looks consistently.
VEG
@
VAN
Sun, Oct 4 • 9:00 PM ET
VEG -1.5 (-103)
Don't let Vancouver's offensive explosion through three games fool you. They're still an abysmal team on paper, allowing 14 goals in their two games against the Oilers.
Vegas has won seven consecutive meetings dating back to December 2024, including a perfect 3-0 in 2025-26 for last season's Stanley Cup finalist.
The Knights have been favored in six of their last seven meetings and are understandably the heavy favorite tonight. I'll confidently back them in this early-season matchup.
Tomas Hertl o0.5 Goals Scored (+200)
I see fair value for Tomas Hertl closer to 37%.
He leads the Vegas Golden Knights in shot attempts, shots on target, expected goals, and high-danger chances. Nobody on the roster is even close.
He’ll see cushy matchups against a thin Canucks forward core, and has exposure to high-end facilitators like Mark Stone, Jack Eichel, and Shea Theodore on the No. 1 power play unit.
WIN
@
PIT
Mon, Oct 5 • 7:30 PM ET
o6.5 (+102)
The Penguins offense has been of the high-octane variety through two games, scoring 13 times. The Jets don't have Connor Hellebuyck between the pipes, as he remains suspended for demanding a trade, leaving Winnipeg vulnerable on the back end. Getting plus money on the Over is the way to go.
SJ
@
DAL
Mon, Oct 5 • 8:00 PM ET
SJ (+145)
The value on the visitors at plus money informs this pick. Macklin Celebrini and the Sharks offense have plenty of potential contributors, as evidenced by the five-goal outburst against the Kings on Saturday night. Meanwhile, the Stars have one goal through two games. That won't last, but it's enough of a rocky start to take a shot on San Jose in this spot.
Our experts and prediction models are hard at work analyzing the data. Check back shortly for today's picks, or explore our Computer Picks for inspiration.
We've combined statistical analysis and machine learning to make these computer picks. The table above shows you how the computer has done in its last 100 picks against the moneyline, spread (puck line), and total with $100 units.
Seeing where the computer has had success, or has failed, can give you some insight into where the betting value might lie going forward.
Use our computer picks as the starting point in your handicapping journey. Our computer analyzes every stat in our database and chooses the bet that has the most likely outcome. Now, use our other tools to do your own research and see if that research agrees or disagrees with the computer.
An NHL moneyline bet is simple: all you need to do is pick a winner. Whether that's in regulation or overtime, they don't ask how, but how many, right?
| Team | Moneyline Odds |
|---|---|
| Edmonton Oilers | -130 |
| Florida Panthers | +110 |
As with all moneyline odds, the team with the minus sign (-) is the favorite, while the side with the plus sign (+) is the underdog.
Betting $100 on Edmonton at -130 would net you $176 in winnings if they win the game, $76 of profit plus your initial $100 wager. Conversely, if you bet on Florida and they win, you get $210: $110 in profit plus your initial $100 bet.
The puck line is the NHL's version of the spread, where each team is given a certain number of goals to either win or lose by. Unlike the NFL or the NBA, the NHL spread doesn't typically change from 1.5 for each side. The spread is designed to make betting on the favorite more enticing.
| Team | Moneyline Odds | Puck line Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Edmonton Oilers | -130 | -1.5 (-110) |
| Florida Panthers | +110 | +1.5 (-180) |
The favorite, Edmonton at -1.5, would need to win by at least two goals for the bet to cash. If Edmonton wins by two or more goals, in other words, "covers the bet," you'd get $191 in winnings instead of $176 by taking them on the moneyline.
There are two ways for the underdog, Florida at +1.5, to "cover" a +1.5 puck line bet. They can lose by a single goal or win outright to cash. The odds are shorter, but you have options on this bet.
With a total bet, you're wagering on the total number of goals scored by both teams. You aren't backing any single side to win.
| Team | Total Odds |
|---|---|
| Edmonton Oilers | O5.5 (-115) |
| Florida Panthers | U5.5 (-105) |
Sportsbooks will set a line for the game. In this case, it's 5.5 goals. Your job is to figure out if Edmonton and Florida will score more or fewer than 5.5 goals, not counting the shootout.
If you see a line that's an even number, like 6.0, those bets can end in a push where your wager is refunded if the game ends at exactly six goals.
You know what the moneyline, spread (puck line), and total bets are, so you're ready to start betting on NHL hockey. But before you start placing bets with your gut, make sure to check out our betting tools and betting guides.
They can guide you with more than just moneyline, spread, and total bets. They can also help you find value in the futures and player props markets.
If you're ready to bet on NHL picks, you first need to find the right sportsbook. Our NHL betting sites guide offers secure banking, the best odds, bonuses, and reliable customer service options for you.
Covers’ NHL picks typically release on game day. Some significant matchups like playoff games release in the days leading up to the game.
Covers provides free NHL picks covering many markets, including puck lines, totals, moneylines, player props, and more.
Established in 1995,
All Picks
NFL
NCAAF
MLB
NBA
NCAAB
NHL
CFL
WNBA
Golf
World Cup
